Coinbase chief legal officer Paul Grewal to step down after six years

Coinbase Chief Legal Officer Paul Grewal said he is leaving the company after six years, ending a tenure that spanned the exchange’s public listing, its legal fight with the SEC, and its push for crypto legislation in Washington.

After 6 years I’m leaving @Coinbase. I’ll be transitioning to an advisory role at the end of the month and continue my service on the Board of Coinbase National Trust Company. I will be a Coinbase ally for life and am grateful to @brian_armstrong, @emilemc and the Coinbase board…

— Paul Grewal (@iampaulgrewal) July 9, 2026

Grewal said he will transition into an advisory role at the end of the month and continue serving on the board of Coinbase National Trust Company. He said he will remain a “Coinbase ally for life” and thanked CEO Brian Armstrong, Coinbase President and COO Emilie Choi, and the company’s board.

His exit comes after a period in which Coinbase became one of the crypto industry’s most visible legal and policy actors. Grewal pointed to the company’s public listing, its fight with the SEC, its move from Delaware to Texas, and its work around the GENIUS Act and CLARITY Act as part of the legal agenda he helped lead.

Molly Abraham will become Coinbase’s new general counsel. Grewal said Abraham has worked with him on the company’s most important legal battles for more than five years and is ready to lead the legal team.

Coinbase will also move Ryan VanGrack into a new role as vice chairman. Grewal said VanGrack will work with governments and partners globally as Coinbase looks to expand its regulatory and institutional relationships.

Faryar Shirzad will continue leading Coinbase’s global policy team. Grewal said the team’s work with governments and regulators remains critical as the company pushes for a clearer political and legal framework for crypto.

The transition marks a leadership change at Coinbase’s legal operation as the exchange continues to press for market structure legislation and broader crypto regulatory clarity in the U.S.